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The most basic and universal use of human technology is to light the dark places. Yes, heat is nice, but not necessary for so many who live in tropical zones. The need for illumination made fire a turning point in human civilization. Thomas Edison invented hundreds of useful items such as the phonograph and the municipal power grid, but he’s remembered first as the inventor of the light bulb. Anyone with children, or who has ever been a child, knows that a little bit of light does a great job of warding off things that go bump in the night. But there was one place that resisted illumination, to the annoyance of women everywhere. The dark and mysterious recesses of a woman’s purse contain the most crucial items: money, ID, keys, and other possessions that are important enough to keep with you. Finding those things just got easier.
The Glowing Purse, by Kawamura & Ganjavian has a lining embedded with micro-LEDs that can be turned on and off with a flick of a switch. Then you can see the difference between your glasses case and your phone, or between a lipstick and a breath spray. Best of all, you can see where your keys sank to the bottom of the depths. You can plug the purse into a recharging base or switch out the battery when needed.
Someone should have thought of this a long time ago! Unfortunately, it’s still a concept, but if the market is there (and it is) these may be available to purchase someday. I hope when that happens, more styles will be offered -I want one with a shoulder strap. In a better color. And I’ll need another for my kids to leave on all night.
Comments (7)
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There are purses with lights built in. My friend got one from H/M awhile ago and I’m sure they are out there in other capacities. There is also that purse caddy thing that you can place everything you need inside of it and move it from purse to purse. This comes with a light also. So you don’t have to wait till this purse goes to market because it exists…and it exists in WAY better styles.
posted by Cara on 8-18-2008 at 8:50 am
This isn’t new!!! A friend of mine had a purse that did this years ago. She got it at Payless Shoes. And it looked more like a purse than this lunch sack looking thing. You didn’t need to flip a switch either, light came on when you opened the purse.
posted by Emmie on 8-18-2008 at 9:16 am
Cara & Emmie are correct. Purses with built-in lights are available at pretty much every major retailer. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles, and are very affordable. (How do I know all this? I work at Target.)
posted by Amy D on 8-18-2008 at 10:10 am
Haha. When I first clicked on the link, I completely expected to see an article somewhat related to the glowing purse on My Stepmother is an Alien. That was the first thing I thought of. Anyone else?
posted by Amanda on 8-18-2008 at 2:19 pm
Amanda – I am right there with you.
posted by mel on 8-18-2008 at 2:34 pm
Me too! Thought I’d be looking at/reading about a neon-ish purse…
Oh, and I also have a purse with a little light in it.
I want to hear more about this purse caddy thing!
posted by Dawn on 8-18-2008 at 5:02 pm
Hi! This has been done. There are very nice and stylish leather clutches and purses with neon on the inside. They use 2 batteries and have a switch. They are very nice and a little pricy, but not too bad. I was hoping you were going to be speaking of the designer I am looking for ;) I lost my bag.
posted by Alexis on 9-4-2008 at 8:00 am